Chapter 90: Dragon‑Boat Race

The boat merchant hosting this dragon‑boat ceremony stood at the prow; seeing so many commoners gathered to watch, he stood on the high prow and shouted: "Everyone, our ceremony is about to begin. Anyone who wishes to join the dragon‑boat race can go to the officials up front, pay a guan‑zhu coin, receive a badge, and wait for the race to start."

The commoners had come only to join the fun, and upon hearing they must pay to take part in the race, they instantly lost interest, and half the crowd vanished.

After all, they still have work to do at home; who has the leisure to stay idle for long?

The remaining folk are those with spare cash who don't need to work, truly just here for the spectacle.

Sang Qian clicked his tongue and said, "Charging a guan‑zhu coin per person—how bold, you swindler."

The boat merchant seemed to hear the complaints, lifted the prize for the race, and said, "Don't think the guan‑zhu coin is expensive, but if you win, this bamboo‑section incense burner will be yours—it's forged from gold."

Upon hearing that the first place wins gold, many rushed to register. The merchant continued describing the prize: the burner's body is bronze, gilded on the surface, and the bamboo sections and base supporting it are also made of gilt.

Beneath the burner lies an ancient‑totem coiled dragon; the lid bears a relief of four upward‑facing dragons, and when incense burns, the smoke drifts out as if immortal aura is exhaled from the dragons' mouths.

Listening to the merchant's description, Liu Li recalled the relic she had once seen in the historical artifacts museum—it was exactly the same!

She remembered the relic was excavated from a tomb pit on the east side of Maoling, though the occupant wasn't identified; it was certainly a national‑level treasure. She had loved it behind the museum's glass and even took a few photos.

Now the genuine article lay before her, and Liu Li stared eagerly, feeling a tingling curiosity. She wondered how the relic had later become a burial offering, buried for ages.

Liu Yue said softly, "This incense burner is so exquisite," her voice tinged with admiration.

Cao Xiang hurriedly asked, "Cousin Yue, do you like this kind of burner?"

Liu Yue smiled and replied, "It's just very pretty; I can't say I love it."

Cao Xiang: "I was thinking, if you liked it, I could give you the burner from my home—it's just as beautiful."

Liu Yue quickly said, "No need, cousin Cao, I'm not really fond of such common trinkets."

Liu Li turned to Cao Xiang, about to say she liked such common items, when Huo Qubing suddenly spoke from the other side: "I'm going to register for the dragon‑boat race."

Everyone turned to him, and Cao Xiang said, "Huo Xiaolang, can you manage? The paddles stand taller than you."

Huo Qubing raised an eyebrow: "But I'm taller than you."

Cao Xiang: "…"

Though Huo Qubing is only eleven or twelve this year, he isn't short at all. Standing beside sixteen‑year‑old Han Yao, they appear about the same height. Moreover, he often goes to the army to train with Wei Qing and the soldiers, so his physique is well‑built.

Liu Ling mindlessly adored, "Cousin Huo is amazing."

Liu Yue added, "Cousin Huo, you don't have to … for me."

"It's fine," Huo Qubing cut her off, gave a slight nod, glanced at the crowd, paused when his eyes met Liu Li, then left the group to register up front.

Han Wu teased, "Sang Xiaolang and the young Marquis of Pingyang, do you want to register too? Huo Xiaolang is only a year older than you."

Sang Qian: "Why not let your elder cousin go? He's older than all of us."

Han Yao chuckled, "It's fine for me to study and write, but racing in a dragon boat really puts me in a bind."

Cao Xiang said, "There's nothing special about this prize; I have many similar incense burners at home."

Liu Li pursed her lips, helplessly saying, "Cousin Cao, being so straight‑forward won't win you any girls; you should learn from Huo Qubing."

Cao Xiang: "?"

He was puzzled: "What does 'straight‑man' mean? What would I learn from him?"

Liu Li glanced at Liu Yue, who was watching Huo Qubing intently, and whispered, "You're so dense; can't you see your cousin Yue loves that burner?"

Huo Qubing not only noticed, but acted on it. Cao Xiang was standing there grinning foolishly; no wonder we don't know how he managed to marry Wei Zifu's eldest daughter in history.

"But just now cousin Yue said she didn't like it," Cao Xiang scratched his head, looking confused.

Liu Li: "…" He's beyond help; just drag him away.

"The race over there seems about to start," Liu Li changed the subject, pointing at the river, "Let's cheer for Huo Xiaolang."

As she spoke, booming drums sounded from the large dragon ship, and those who had signed up were each assigned a dragon boat.

There were ten dragon boats in total; only six were entered by registrants, while the remaining four were professional paddlers supplied by the boat merchant, all robust. Among the ten, Huo Qubing appeared somewhat slight.

The drums beat rhythmically, and several priests dressed in distinctive attire appeared on the dragon ship, chanting and gesturing on the big vessel.

As the drums grew louder, the queued dragon boats, upon a flag‑bearer's command, surged forward.

The paddles splashed water as everyone strained forward, and the onlookers on the bank could no longer tell who was who. After all, isn't the point of such an event just the lively atmosphere?

Liu Ling tugged her sister's sleeve and asked, "Sis, do you think cousin Huo will win?"

Liu Yue pressed her lips and gently analyzed, "It seems four others have been rowing for years; cousin's chances look slim, but he often trains with his uncle, so the outcome is uncertain."

"Even if cousin Huo can't win, he's racing for you."

Liu Yue's cheeks flushed, scolding, "Liu Ling, don't speak carelessly."

Cao Xiang stared at the race and said, "I actually think Huo Qubing could win."

Everyone turned to him, awaiting his analysis; Cao Xiang cleared his throat and said, "His strength now rivals that of an adult man; in the Imperial Academy's afternoon martial lessons, Huo Qubing is always first."

Liu Li asked curiously, "Then cousin, where do you rank?"

Cao Xiang's expression flickered, feigning nonchalance: "Me? I'm decent, actually quite strong."

Such evasive answering amused several girls. Sang Qian clicked his tongue: "Luckily I was self‑aware back then and didn't force myself into an older class; otherwise I'd have to train daily."

At the Imperial Academy, students aged ten to fifteen study humanities in the morning; in the afternoon, boys go to the martial field to train, while girls learn weaving, zither skills, and so on. This year, ten‑year‑old Sang Qian remains in the middle class for unknown reasons, not having been transferred.

On the large dragon ship, the priests who had appeared earlier withdrew, replaced by several dancers who performed graceful steps on the deck for the audience.

Liu Li watched the beautiful sister's dance with interest; the central danseuse balanced on tiptoe atop a big drum, and as she moved, the drum made not a single sound.

"Great!" the cheering crowd clapped enthusiastically.

This soft, light classical dance was so beautiful that Liu Li couldn't help but applaud and cheer.

She was reminded of a famous Western Han figure—Zhao Feiyan. Legend says Zhao Feiyan could dance on a person's palm, a skill akin to the dancer before her; no wonder Emperor Cheng of Han was captivated by her.

"Look, the racers are returning," Chen Ran pointed at the dragon boats already heading back on the lake, "It seems someone is far ahead."

Everyone craned their necks to see who the first returning boat belonged to.

Liu Ling shouted, "Cousin Huo seems to be first—so impressive! Sis, look, cousin Huo is first!"

Indeed, the boat far ahead on the lake was Huo Qubing's; the splashing water created rippling waves, and in the blink of an eye he reached the shore, becoming the first to arrive.

The other folk on the shore all clapped and cheered for the victorious youth, and the organizer, the boat merchant, hurriedly sent someone to invite Huo Qubing aboard the large dragon boat.

Soon Huo Qubing and the boat merchant stood together on the dragon boat's deck. The young man, not yet old, stood before the crowd panting slightly, and only then did everyone see clearly that the one who had taken first place seemed to still be a youth.

"So impressive! Even faster than those old hands who've been racing dragon boats for years, truly incredible!"

"This boy will accomplish great things in the future!"

"Looking at him, he shouldn't even be eighteen yet, right? No, sixteen?"

All around were voices of praise. Liu Ling said proudly to the people beside her, "That's my cousin, of course he's the best," as though the one being praised were herself.

The remaining contestants also arrived at the shore one after another, and were all invited aboard the dragon boat.

The contestants stood in a row, and Huo Qubing's youthful appearance stood out all the more, which drew even more enthusiastic applause from the audience.

The boat merchant said something to Huo Qubing, then actually handed over the prepared prize to him. This act of keeping one's word also drew admiration from the onlooking folk.

Huo Qubing raised the incense burner high in his hand and stood at the bow of the boat, a carefree expression rising between his brows, as though a king returning in triumph.

Amid the crowd's applause and cheers, Huo Qubing finally carried his prize and made his way through the throng of folk to rejoin everyone.

"Cousin," Liu Ling rushed over first. "Let me see this incense burner."

"I knew Huo Qubing could win. I was right, wasn't I?" Cao Xiang said, but was also drawn to the gilded incense burner Huo Qubing held up. "This one is so exquisite, even better-looking than the incense burner at my house."

"Impressive, Young Master Huo," Sang Qian praised. "One string of coins for a golden incense burner—worth it."

Hearing Sang Qian's words, Liu Li chuckled. "How come you're looking more and more like Uncle Sang?"

Sang Qian frowned. "Am I?"

Liu Li nodded seriously. "In the end, you've still grown into the very person you used to despise."

Sang Qian: "..."

It was Liu Yue who was attentive. Seeing that Huo Qubing was soaked through, with water stains even on his hair, she quickly took out a clean handkerchief from her sleeve and offered it to Huo Qubing to wipe the water from his face. "Cousin, wipe yourself off."

Huo Qubing paused, and did not take the handkerchief Liu Yue offered. He simply wiped his face with his sleeve, removing the water stains. "The lake water is dirty—it would soil your handkerchief."

Liu Yue froze for a moment, gripped the handkerchief in her hand tightly, and quietly put it away.

Liu Ling showed the incense burner in her hand to Liu Yue. "Sister, come look at this incense burner. It really is as exquisite as you said."

Liu Yue took it and looked it over, smiling as she said, "It is, isn't it."

"It just so happens that Mother has some sleep-aiding incense. When we get back, Sister, you could ask Mother for some to put inside and burn." Liu Ling tilted her head up to look at Huo Qubing. "Cousin Huo, you're planning to give this to Sister, aren't you?"

Huo Qubing hesitated a moment and said, "No."

The incense burner in Liu Yue's hand suddenly felt as heavy as a thousand catties.

Liu Ling: "Then who are you planning to give it to? Or will you use it yourself?" In her memory, didn't Cousin Huo dislike the scent of incense?

Liu Yue furrowed her brows slightly and directly returned the incense burner to Huo Qubing. "I don't really like this thing anyway. Here, Cousin, take it back."

Huo Qubing took the incense burner back. Liu Ling pressed on relentlessly. "Cousin, haven't you always disliked incense? What use do you have for this incense burner?"

Pressed by Liu Ling's questioning until he had no way out, he could only say, "I... I plan to give it to Uncle, as a wedding gift for him."

Hearing this, Liu Ling stopped pressing further, and even said understandingly, "So it's for Uncle."

Was Wei Qing getting married? Liu Li was surprised to hear this news, but thinking of Wei Qing's age, by Western Han reckoning, it seemed he was already marrying late.

Cao Xiang exclaimed, "The dragon boat race is over, and I happen to be a bit hungry. Why don't we go to the market nearby and get something to eat? My treat."

Liu Ling and Liu Yue followed along. Liu Li turned to ask Sang Qian, "Is the market nearby the same one we went to last time?"

Sang Qian shook his head. "Last time we went to the Willow Market. Around here is the West Market, but the things sold are about the same."

Han Yuan said, "I've only heard the servants in the mansion talk about how the market has lots of things, but I've never been. Why don't we go take a look today as well."

Cao Xiang, walking ahead, turned to look at them. "What are you all dawdling for? If we don't go now the market will close, and then we won't be able to eat anything."

The West Market really was right nearby. In about the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense, they had already arrived at the West Market entrance. Liu Li looked around and felt that the West Market was even livelier than the Willow Market from before, with more vendors hawking their wares along the road.

Sang Qian said, "Perhaps the folk who were watching by the river just now all came to the West Market. After being out in the sun for so long, they came to the West Market for a cup of tea and a rest. I'd guess that the people who organized the dragon boat race just now were very likely tea merchants from the Wu-Yue region."

As they spoke, Liu Li indeed spotted a tea shop doing very brisk business. The shop also had a coiled-dragon banner hanging in front, identical to the ones she had seen at the dragon boat race.

"You really hit the mark. Young Master Sang, you're so impressive," Chen Ran marveled.

Cao Xiang, walking ahead, said, "Today, whatever you all want to buy, your cousin will buy and pay for you."

Sang Qian said, "Since the Marquis of Pingyang is being so generous, I won't compete with him."

Chen Ran blinked and asked, "Then does that make me the young marquis's cousin too?"

Cao Xiang looked at Chen Ran and scratched his head. "You're a young lady of the Marquis of Tangyi's household, so naturally you're my cousin too." There were six girls here in total, and four of them were his cousins.

Han Yuan linked arms with Wei Yan'er. "Ah, then Yan'er and I will just have to pay for ourselves."

Han Yao smiled and said, "No worries, I'll pay for whatever you two buy."

Everyone chatted and laughed as they entered the market together. Liu Yue and Liu Ling, the two sisters visiting this place for the first time, were clearly a bit reserved, and only browsed as they walked past the stalls.

Liu Li felt as though she had become a social butterfly, pulling Chen Ran to run between stalls on both sides, and ended up buying quite a few little trinkets.

Because today was the Dragon Boat Festival, Liu Li even saw someone selling zongzi at a small stall.

"Young ladies, would you like to take a look at these horned millet dumplings? Very soft and delicious," the small vendor called out to them warmly.

Liu Li asked with considerable interest, "Are these called horned millet dumplings? What's the filling inside?"

"Inside is millet and hulled wheat," the vendor replied. "These were all made by my mother's own hands, fresh out of the pot, still warm right now."

The millet of this era was modern-day yellow millet, and what Liu Li wanted to ask was whether these were sweet zongzi or savory zongzi.

Looking at the vendor's expectant gaze, Liu Li turned to ask Chen Ran, "Ran, do you want to eat one of these?"

Chen Ran shook her head, indicating she didn't.

Liu Li said to the vendor, "Then I'll buy one." Saying that, she looked at Cao Xiang. "Cousin, pay up."

Cao Xiang paid. Liu Li picked a smaller zongzi from the stall, peeled away the outer water bamboo leaf, and saw the yellow-and-white rice mixture inside.

She took a bite. The texture was decent enough, but it had no flavor at all, and was a bit hard to swallow.

And while she was eating, everyone else was still watching her. Liu Li suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. She coughed lightly and said, "I prefer sweet zongzi, so I've decided to take it back and dip it in sugar."

She then wrapped the zongzi leaves again and placed them into the bag she carried with her.

After that, everyone continued forward, completely unaware that someone was following behind them.

"Boss, it's that boy ahead. He took first prize in the dragon boat race earlier. See that thing wrapped in his hand? It's a golden incense burner." Several thuggish-looking men hid in the shadows, their eyes fixed on the object in Huo Qubing's hands like greedy venomous snakes.

"Find a way to snatch that incense burner." The thug boss gave a wicked laugh. "With that thing, we'll strike it rich."

"Boss, when do we make our move?"

"Just a bunch of kids. We'll act once they leave the market. Those little girls are all quite pretty—they might fetch a good price too."

"Boss, from the way these kids are dressed, they're either rich or noble. What if we can't afford to mess with them?"

The boss slapped Thug A on the head. "We cover our faces and who'll know it was us? Are five of us not enough to handle a few kids?"

Thug A nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, yes, Boss is mighty."

The boss said, "Xiao Bing and Xiao Ding, keep following them. The moment they head somewhere with few people or leave the market, come notify me. Xiao Jia and Xiao Yi, you two come with me to find cloth to cover our faces."

The little thugs began to split up and act.

The little thugs kept following behind Liu Li and the others, but because the market was crowded with people, they couldn't find an opportunity to strike.

Liu Li felt that this trip through the market was not satisfying in the least.

Mainly because Liu Yue, Han Wan, and those other noble girls couldn't let loose—they were always reserved and unwilling to mingle with the vendors.

Chen Ran was a bit better; she picked out two small trinkets, though Liu Li had to pull her over to choose them.

In the end, the group settled on a restaurant, drinking tea and eating pastries, resting for a good while. Only when dusk was approaching did everyone decide to leave.

Cao Xiang suggested, "A-Li, why don't you ride in my carriage? I'll take you and Cousin Yue and Cousin Ling back to the palace together."

Liu Li thought about it; this arrangement was indeed convenient. She turned to look at Sang Qian. "Then you must safely escort Sister A-Wan and Sister Yan'er back home."

Sang Qian nodded. "Rest assured, Your Highness."

Liu Li followed Cao Xiang onto the carriage. The bag she carried with her was already stuffed full; once she sat down, the bag alone took up an entire seat. Cao Xiang wanted to sit together with Liu Li and see what exactly she had bought in her bag.

But Liu Li told him to sit down. "Don't move."

Cao Xiang: "Hm?"

But at this moment Liu Yue and Liu Ling also boarded the carriage. Seeing Liu Li seated on one side, they almost unanimously chose to sit together with Cao Xiang.

Liu Li raised an eyebrow at Cao Xiang—Cousin, this is all I can do to help you.

The last to board the carriage was Huo Qubing. He glanced at the seating arrangement inside and went straight to sit on Liu Li's side.

"To Weiyang Palace." Cao Xiang turned and ordered the driver outside. The carriage began to move slowly.

The carriage interior fell silent; none of them spoke. Liu Li quietly yawned, tilted her head against the carriage wall as drowsiness overtook her.

The moving carriage suddenly jolted. The dozing Liu Li lurched forward from inertia and was about to slam into the carriage door. Huo Qubing, quick-eyed and deft-handed, reached out and caught Liu Li, pulling her into his arms.

She startled awake, opened her bleary eyes and looked at Huo Qubing's smooth jawline, froze for a moment, then asked, "Why… why are you holding me?"

Seeing her startled awake and questioning him like this, Huo Qubing froze for a moment, then released his hands as if electrocuted. "I saw you nearly hit the carriage wall, so I pulled you."

His withdrawn hands tightened slightly, his heart pounding in panic.

"Exactly, Cousin Huo kindly pulled you, otherwise you'd have hit your head long ago." Liu Ling spoke up to vouch for Huo Qubing.

Liu Li rubbed her head and pursed her lips. "Oh, then thank—"

Before she could finish, the carriage came to an abrupt halt, and everyone aboard swayed and stumbled. Liu Li crashed headfirst into Huo Qubing's chest, gasping from the pain.

Why did his chest feel even harder than the carriage wall?

Seeing the carriage stop, Cao Xiang steadied Liu Yue and loudly demanded of the driver outside, "What's going on?"

The driver outside called out in a panicked voice, "My Lord, there are… there are scoundrels blocking the carriage outside…"

Scoundrels dared to block the carriage of the Pingyang Marquis Manor? Did they have a death wish?

Cao Xiang gave a cold snort and rose to step out of the carriage. "What scoundrels—they don't even look at who I am!"

The five scoundrels outside saw that Cao Xiang looked like a mere child and felt no fear at all, even bursting into loud laughter and mockery. "Little milk baby, have you been weaned yet? You don't even know who you are?"

"Pfft." Liu Li couldn't hold back her laughter upon hearing this exchange, but it drew an angry glare from Liu Ling. "How are you still laughing?"

Liu Li cleared her throat and quickly suppressed her laughter, looking at Huo Qubing. "Young Lord Huo, hurry outside and help him."